At the end of September, in late autumn, the osmanthus trees in the palace gradually withered, but they still contained a rich osmanthus fragrance that wafted everywhere.
At noon, Chongzheng Hall stands majestically in the sunlight that combines autumn and winter.
At this time, Zhao Zhen was reviewing memorials in the Chongzheng Hall.
Although the Constitutional Court was established, in order to protect the imperial power, basically all the prime ministers had to check after handling government affairs.
In addition, the establishment of new departments, personnel arrangements and the dismissal of officials also require his signature and approval.
Otherwise, if Zhao Jun could appoint and dismiss officials just by speaking, it would cause another earthquake in the officialdom of the Song Dynasty.
I'm afraid that the impeachment letters against Zhao Jun and the three prime ministers and three councilors for undermining the imperial power and preparing for rebellion will flood the entire Chongzheng Hall.
So, although the Constitutional Council had the power to appoint and dismiss officials, it still had to obtain the emperor's approval, at least formally. However, Zhao Zhen now agreed to everything, and this was basically no different from a formality.
"Prime Minister Cai has already submitted a petition to transfer Zeng Gongliang to the position of Director of the Firearms Department, in charge of firearms manufacturing. Now we just have to wait for our eldest grandson to come up with a method for making firearms. Then, our Song Dynasty will have muskets and cannons."
Zhao Zhen looked at the memorial in his hand and nodded with satisfaction. Then his eyes were filled with longing, and he thought to himself, "If the Song Dynasty had these firearms, why would we fear the Liao Kingdom anymore? If Fan Qing can defeat the Western Xia and then drive back the Liao Kingdom, my prestige will be unmatched."
He closed the memorial in his hand and was very excited at first, looking forward to the scene where once the Song Dynasty had firearms, it would be able to roam across China and sweep across Western Xia and Liao. But as he thought about it, his face became solemn and he was filled with worries.
Although if he could defeat Western Xia and Liao, his status in the Song Dynasty would be comparable to that of Taizu, or even surpass that of Taizu, and the entire Song Dynasty would become increasingly powerful, comparable to the Han and Tang dynasties.
But what people yearn for, they also worry about.
Zhao Zhen was thinking, if he could win, that would be a good thing. But what if he lost?
The Liao Kingdom was powerful after all.
Even though Zhao Jun said that the Liao Kingdom is still plagued by internal and external troubles, it is far less prosperous than it was decades ago.
But people are not afraid of ten thousand things, they are always afraid of one thing.
Zhao Zhen felt that if he failed, it would be an unprecedented blow to the Song Dynasty, which was already in turmoil, and it might even lead to the destruction of the country!
So the moment before, he was still thinking about how great his status would be if the Song Dynasty could win the wars between Song-Xia and Song-Liao.
The next moment, I became pessimistic and thought about how miserable the outcome would be if I failed.
This was also a common emotion among the emperors of the Song Dynasty.
Hesitant and hesitant, especially Song Renzong Zhao Zhen.
"Forget it. Historically, they were defeated by the Western Xia. In the end, the Liao Kingdom deployed troops on the border, but ultimately no fighting broke out. For them, although the Song Dynasty was weak, it was not an opponent that could be bullied at will. Besides, the Song Dynasty had already perished."
Zhao Zhen felt a little upset when he thought about it. He simply put his hand on his forehead and stopped thinking about it. He was now brave enough to face the Liao Kingdom and the Western Xia Kingdom. Wasn't it because the Song Dynasty was about to fall?
Anyway, even if he did not respond, the Jingkang Humiliation would still make the Song Dynasty disappear in a few decades, so it would be better to go all out.
If it succeeds, the Song Dynasty will establish its status as a powerful country.
The Song Dynasty would be able to gain at least fifty years of peace for itself, calmly carry out internal reforms, and then complete the Industrial Revolution. After a significant leap in productivity, it would annex Western Xia and Liao and become the overlord of the East!
Even if they were defeated in the Liao Dynasty and the Western Xia Dynasty, it would be impossible for them to annex the Song Dynasty.
At most, they would increase the annual tribute as in history, or cause domestic unrest, so as not to destroy the Zhao family.
"The eldest grandson will not let our Zhao family perish. As long as the eldest grandson is here, the Song Dynasty will surely be strong!"
Zhao Zhen regained his confidence and began to read the memorial again.
At this moment, Wang Shouzhong came in and bowed and said, "Sir, the young master and the gentlemen are here."
"oh?"
Zhao Zhen quickly asked, "Did something happen?"
Wang Shouzhong hesitated for a moment, but still told the truth: "It's about the Salt and Iron Commissioner of the Three Departments."
Salt and Iron Envoy?
Liu Yuanyu?
Zhao Zhen thought for a moment and said, "Let them in."
"yes."
Wang Shouzhong went out.
A moment later, Zhao Jun, Lu Yijian and others came in.
They first bowed to Zhao Zhen and said, "Your Highness!"
"Please sit down."
Zhao Zhen laughed and said, "Since you're not at the Political Affairs Council today, how come you have time to come to Chongzheng Hall?"
Zhao Jun looked at Lu Yijian and signaled him to speak about the matter.
Lu Yijian said, "Your Majesty, please dismiss the entire Salt and Iron Bureau."
"The entire Salt and Iron Bureau?"
Zhao Zhen was shocked and said, "There are seven cases under the Deputy Commissioner of the Salt and Iron Department. There are more than a hundred officials, including prosecutors, judges, accountants, chief prosecutors, and review officials. Are they all going to be dismissed?"
"Yes."
Lü Yijian said expressionlessly, "The Salt and Iron Administration has ignored the orders of the Council of Civil Affairs, and Liu Yuanyu has taken sole control of the entire bureau. We sent people to urge them to count the figures, but they refused to comply. Not a single person from the bureau even came to the Council of Civil Affairs to explain their reasons. They are showing disregard for the laws of the land!"
Wang Zeng also said, "Your Majesty, this is the intention of the head of the Civil Affairs Council and all the associate governors and deputy associate governors. The Salt and Iron Administration's actions will only weaken the authority of the Civil Affairs Council. How can we then talk about reform and strengthening the country?"
They still stand on Zhao Jun's side on this matter.
Because in a sense, with the establishment of the Political System Council, people like Lu Yijian will also become beneficiaries.
It turns out that although the position of prime minister seems to be a high status, firstly, the power is far less than what it is now, and secondly, the status of the Vice-Director of the Constitutional Yuan and the Deputy Vice-Director is lifelong.
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